OverDrive - Johnson on the Canada and USA showdown, the goaltending choices and Crosby's leadership performance

Episode Date: February 14, 2025

TSN Hockey Analyst Mike Johnson joined OverDrive to discuss the latest around the 4 Nations Face-Off, the Canada and USA showdown, the lineups for the teams in the game, the goaltending impressions for Canada, Shea Theodore's injury impact on the blue line, Sidney Crosby's performance and more.

Given five days or less to accept a severance offer, you need EmploymentLawyer.ca. You actually have two years to file a claim for a severance package, which can total as much as 24 months pay. Call your Sam Firou and get what you're owed. EmploymentLawyer.ca. Joining us now on the Maple Toyota Hotline are TSN hockey analyst Mike Johnson, live from Montreal. Mike, the floor is yours.

What is going on so and the question is would I even notice like if I was broadcasting a game I would but as a viewer Frankie do you think you'd notice 30 seconds longer commercials I know the players would I guess the players are saying they're getting to the face-off circle way too early because they're expecting the plug the puck to start fuck the drop and play too early because they're expecting the plug the puck to start Puck to drop and play to start whatever it is after the two minutes. They're kind of milling about for 30 seconds I don't know. I mean, I guess if they taken off the back end of the intermission

That almost makes it more sense But I can see why TV wise because people will stay and watch a game through a commercial But maybe change the channel during the intermission. So maybe have people's attention more for during period commercials but I don't think I really know about they can really care whatever whatever they want to do is fine with me. Johnny what's the main thing you're looking forward to among many for tomorrow's game Canada versus USA? I think just sort of the emotion of the players and the environment, the sort of, we thought it was already peaked.

It couldn't get any better than Mario Lemieux on Wednesday and the goal the first minute. And the first 10 minutes to nothing and the crowd just roaring for Crosby and overtime winner for Mitch Martin. Like it couldn't get any better, but across the board, Frankie, today, talking to the guys, every one of them was like, no, it's going to be more, it's going to be bigger. It's going to be louder. It's going to be more intense. It's going

to be more physical. Um, and I think it's going to be amazing to watch that atmosphere and watch the American team, which truly believes in maybe rightly so that they are the best team in this tournament, not take a back step step try to bring the game to Canada in a Canadian ring to watch the Kachaks go to work as only maybe they can and see how that dynamic plays out I think it's a lot of different things a lot of Stanley Cup finals and whatever it might be World Juniors World Championships and it takes a lot to sort of get me the day before excited to be at a game. I'm excited to be in Montreal. I'm excited to be able to be in the building for this game.

I think it's got that kind of energy about it. That's what I want to see. Yeah, and I don't think it matters if you love hockey, you hate hockey. I mean if you love your country and you love an exciting sporting event tomorrow night is as good as it gets. Mike Johnson, TSN hockey analyst, our guest. What was your takeaway from the Americans last night who beat up on a Finland team? Well, really mostly in the third period, Mike, who is really, really banged up on the back end. I mean, there's not a lot of studs over there on defense for Finland.

What did you take away from what the USA was able to do? It's almost unfair for Finland. They were already going to be in tough, but you take, you know, four defense and other lineups. It makes it almost impossible. And of course the Americans look better. Like I thought the Hughes-Matthews combination looked excellent, dynamic and creative and lots of stuff off the rush and creating chances and finding each other and of course the Kachuk brothers doing what they do and you sort of so unique the way that they play. But I guess I have to say that it was against Finland and Finland is not Sweden and Finland is not Canada. But I do think that they, the Americans showed

themselves to be, you know, deep and physical and fast. And, and if everyone talks about Canada, Sweden being maybe the fastest game, it felt like the American game was maybe more physical. And also the willingness to make changes, right? Kyle Connor lost it. How long with Jack Eichel before Brady Kachuk got there? Half a game? Not even?

Before they decided Mike Sullivan made a change to bring Brady Kachuk to play with Matthew Kachuk and Jack Eichel. So, you know, I think the Americans know what they are. Fast, deep, skilled, physical, and, you know, a justifiable co-favor of this tournament. What do you think Canada should do in net moving forward? Well, it felt like today at practice that Bittington was in the starters net, he wasn't really sharing reps. John Cooper wouldn't say it after practice, but I do think it's going to be Bittington. So that's what they are going to do. If it was me, and I don't, maybe because I'm just want more options, I think I would have played Aiden Hill against

the Americans tomorrow. And if he plays great and stands in his head then I think he probably would be warranting to play the rest of the tournament and if it didn't go great or they didn't win then you saw Bennington against Finland and then hopefully against whoever for the final and no big deal you mix in a different start not a problem but if you go back to bidding which they're going to and if it doesn't go well which kind of hopes that that's not the but if it does it, now you're going to aid in the Hill in the third game. Now it's a must win to even have a chance to make it to the final. And that's a dangerous situation for a guy who hasn't played in 10 days. So I think I would have gone Hill. There's

no real wrong answer. There's probably no real right answer. And I guess that's why we're having this conversation but look like it people will be in can even if i wouldn't yeah i think the same applies to the four groups might we see brad marsh and sam bennett set jarvis together anthony sorelli brain point brandon hagel the temperature you together as the fourth line for canada is that uh... couple line combos you expect stick together for the duration

of the game or do you expect a lot of fluidity when it comes to john cooper and how he approaches things i mean the game not going well but yeah i had expected to be very fluid it's interesting that the type of guy you put together you think well there's continuity there there's built-in chemistry there and a quick search in they almost

and never played together the trio like serralli has played hagel a trio. Like, Sorelli has played with Hagel a ton. Point has played with Hagel a ton. But Point, the three of them together? Almost not at all, like not for five minutes the whole season this year. So, yes, there's a system, then a personality, and maybe game familiarity, but not as line mates. So, I wouldn't put too much stock into that.

But I do think, you know, John Cooper, who's the coach, knows what they can do, understands the assignment. And I think what Coop likes beyond the Tampa guys is the idea of Marsha and Sam Bennett, which is, you know, curious because they've had their own run in, right? Like that little rabbit punch hit that Bennett delivered to Marsha in the playoffs that knocked him out. But I think as a physical response to what they anticipate being a physical emotional game and the two guys who they hope can not just play physically but bring a little attitude into the game are those guys. We'll see how it goes. If it doesn't go well then they'll mix and match

and they'll still try to figure it out in this game and going forward but I think that's the logic behind it anyways. How much of a factor do you think not having Shea Theodore and Kale McCarr potentially being sick can play into this game tomorrow? It's huge. It's huge. I mean, you think with Theodore's injury,

McCarr and Taves would have been, what do you think, Frankie, 27 minutes or so? Maybe more. They were. Like McCarr was 28, Taves was 25 and change almost 26 already. But that was with five guys, I mean even with, I'm saying with six, I still think they get to 27-28. I think against Americans in that kind of game, I think those two were going to be unquestionably the number one pair. If you take McCarr in the lineup, then then it's Thomas Harley,

I guess, is going to play. They did something jumping through hoops and rewriting rules to make it so that he can be in Montreal and take a morning's gate and maybe play if he's hurt, whatever, or sick. But he's taking McCarr out and how special he is in all the situations he plays in. The defense in Canada gets much much thinner

I mean Thomas Harley trying to stand high and drew dowdy all guys who didn't maybe bubble members of this team But that's three of them playing in the most important game That's probably not ideal for Canada So I think hopefully the cars healthy because if he's not that's trouble The other part is I thought Frankie when I watched the game Josh Morrissey, who I think is just a tremendous player, so good. Him and Colt Pareco were just, they're okay. And I think it's on them to be really good.

And I think Morrissey has got to sort of smooth out some of the stuff that Pareco doesn't do quite as well. Maybe Pareco has got to be a play finisher for Morrissey. They were just okay, but I don't know if Canada beats the US in less that second pair whether a card in the lineup or not but even more so if he's not gets a little more cohesive together. TSN hockey analyst Mike Johnson our guest can you take us through the vibes in Montreal Mike the streets or that the talk of the town what's going on at the Four Nations face off you're a Montreal Canadiens

legend in your own right, Phyllis. Well I appreciate the legendary call, in my own mind is right, not my own rights, but you know it's buzzing here, yes, you get to the airport, there's signage up, you get around the rinks, there's signs everywhere, lots of activations, there's a YouTuber game went on this afternoon. People are excited and people are intrigued by what's going on.

I think the idea of, you know, best on best excites people. The idea of Canada playing a sport in which Canada thinks we are the best in excites Canadians. And I think, you know, sadly, like a little bit of the or maybe not sadly, like a little bit of the the Canada, US stuff that may be going on in the general world makes the game almost a little bit of the, or maybe not sadly, a little bit of the Canada-U.S. stuff that may be going on in the general world makes the game almost a little bit more compelling in that way as well.

So, yeah, I think people are very much into this tournament and into tomorrow, double header, which will be fun. You forget Sweden-Finland, who are as fierce rivals as Canada-U.S. and just like each other, or as combative as the late game. They're playing in the afternoon and then the late game. It's going to be a great day. It's just four or five days of hockey, but I think Montreal has risen to the occasion of being a proper opening host for this tournament.

Speaking of rising to the occasion, you have Mitch Marner versus Auston Matthews tomorrow, which is, it kind of, it gets lost in the shuffle, but I think there's an intrigue factor to it. It's two of the best players in the league, both play for the Toronto Maple Leafs. Playoff success has eluded these guys to a certain degree, especially from a team perspective. Any thought as far as how that matchup goes within the game? I don't know if Austin Matthews plays against McDavid. I don't know if they'll be on the ice against each other a lot. I know it's the cone of silence right now, but the Maple Leaf guys have not spoken in this tournament. They've not sort of wished each other well or on the text chain anymore. They're sort of just doing their own thing. I think for Austin this is not a one-on-one battle at all. I think if I had to guess, you know, Austin Matthews is taking this I'm the captain the American team and he wants

to be part of a successful game where his team wins the team that he's leading wins. I think for Mitch, I think Mitch prides himself on his competitive spirit the same way when Austin Matthews goes out of the Leaf lineup. That Marner really elevates and shows people like, I am also great and I don't need Austin Matthews to be a difference maker, to pile up points. And he didn't like this year when he was just incredible. And I think maybe in Mitch's mind, there'll be a little bit of a one-on-one comparison where he wants to play as well as his teammate as well as win the game. Whereas maybe for Austin, it doesn't resonate quite that way.

He's just probably thinking about, I want to lead my team to the win. Mike, it was such an incredible opening game for Crosby with those three primary assists. Yesterday on the show, the O-Dog made a point of reference to Brendan Shanahan following the 96 World Cup of hockey when he was with Hartford with Oh and said when he got back from the tournament calls the GM up and says hey I don't want to be here anymore I'm not saying that's what Sidney Crosby is going to say when he returns to Pittsburgh following the conclusion of the Four Nations face-off but do you think perhaps

this experience could alter how Sidney Crosby thinks about the rest of his NHL career? That is juicy juicy. I mean could it could it ignite his competitive fire? To the point where he thinks I don't want to be in a rebuilding situation Which is what Pittsburgh is going to be in the next couple years. They sort of acknowledged that be in a rebuilding situation, which is what Pittsburgh is going to be in the next couple of years. They've sort of acknowledged that. And if they trade Ricard Raquel away the same way they traded Jake Gentile away, will that, you know, add another bit of fuel to that fire? Perhaps. And then you couple that with, does the rest of the league now see what, as if we needed a reminder, but a

reminder of how great Sidney Crosby can be. If he has, if he leads this tournament in scoring and Canada wins the tournament, does that say make Colorado say, listen, we gotta push harder. We gotta go after him harder because look how great he still is in the biggest moments. That's what we need.

The Leaf need a third line, second line center. That's the guy we can go, let's trade our prospects. Let's trade our first rounders for him. Who cares because he's so great I wonder if that is that Sentiment grows across the league I mean maybe I think that might be wishful thinking because we like the idea of Crosby playing big games like the idea of Crosby being in the cup hunt, I don't know if it's gonna go down that road, but

Boy, if he can do anything like it in the first game throughout the rest of the tournament, teams will still be calling Al Duba saying, can you talk to him? Does he want to go? Because we'd love to have him. Well, I mean, if you want to make that happen, like to quote the Godfather, like make him an offer he can't refuse. I don't know. You're going to have to get there if you want to get Sidney Crosby.

You're not getting it done with your B prospect in a couple picks it's gonna have to be a monumental move But I thought another thing was interesting when it comes to Sid, you know They bring out all those legends of the game beforehand and of course Mario Lemieux comes out and then you start to think okay How about the ovation for Mario the respect he gets and that's in Montreal and this guy was a Pittsburgh penguin and a Pittsburgh Penguin only and you watch the way they kind of look at each other and I'm like I think Sid Wants that like I think Sid might just want to be what Mario Lemieux is and he was a penguin for life and just kind

Of follow in his footsteps and like I don't know maybe he maybe he is okay with that and we going to have Four Nations this year, we're going to have Olympics next year and two years after that we're going to have the World Cup of Hockey. There's a very realistic chance that Sidney Crosby is still playing high level hockey into his early 40s. I wouldn't put it past him. You're right. I think that's not really a question though. I think Sid does want that. Like Sid does want to be a lifer in one organization like his old landlord, Mary Lemieux, and be revered for the fact that he was able to do it all in one place. The competing motivation is his desire to win, right? Because he's not going gonna be able to have both. So what's stronger?

His desire for the legacy of the single organization or desire to go try to win some more? I guess my point is he'll get the desire to win in the Olympics and then possibly two years after that with the World Cup of Hockey. So he gets to scratch your itch and kind of get both just not at the NHL level if Pittsburgh's still where they're at.

You're right, but Frankie, as you get it, like if you are a 70 point team, and Pittsburgh's not that, but they might be close to it, those are some long years. And does Sid want, like yes, you'll be looking forward to the Olympics for sure, but does he want to go through two and a half years of 70 point existence? And've done it and it can be crappy Even if you're Cindy Crosby even you make a ton of money even if your legacy is intact It's one of the greatest of all time You know It's still just a long sort of arduous slog to get to the good stuff and you wonder does he want that like that? That's that's the old not the question and only he won't know the answer to it

Johnny before we let you go, we couldn't help but notice that the O-Dog put out a picture on Twitter this morning saying that he was there early grinding away. He was with Rashog, CJ, Pierre Lebrun. Any comment on that? Where were you? Yeah. Yeah, I mean like, we've've evolved into a concert, right? Like the opening act goes in early and gets, you know, the, gets the base, the base level covered. And then the

headliner comes in and does the job and says people, I'm happy. And I kind of equate this situation to that. Yeah. Like, oh, wasn't there early, you know, doing the grassroots work. And then when it came time to really dig in, then Drager showed up and Duffy and I was along with them. So that's, that's how I would sort of paint the picture at this morning escape. We were there and it was lovely. How, how happy is the TSN crew that there's no game on a Friday night in Montreal tonight?

I mean, this is a beautiful city. It's a wonderful, wonderful city, even the winter. We're all hanging out. We have dinner tonight, Valentine's Day. We're all out there together. But yeah, it's fun to be at big events. And so I think we'll enjoy being at a big event. I already know how this went down today.

You guys had practice and then you all said, let's bank these hits as quickly as possible and get the hell out of here, and no one even think about bringing up any work until tomorrow. Did you have a mole in our group right now, Frankie? Because that is maybe verbatim. That's exactly what happened. That is exactly what happened. Get a workout, get a nap, and get ready for dinner.

That was the assignment for the mid-afternoon. What a night. We need an ESPN 30 for 30. Engraved on a nation, if you will, on the night in Montreal tonight for the TSN crew. Enjoy it, Mike. We thank you for doing this, and look forward to the coverage tomorrow. Canada, USA should be a lot of fun. All right, boys.

Enjoy the weekend. All right, that's Mike Johnson, TSN Hockey Analyst who joined us on the Maple Toyota Hotline. Count on Maple Toyota for the right winter tire package for your Toyota. Trade in your tires, buy a new set and get $40 back. Visit mapletoyota.com.